50 People for 50 Years: Melanie Dominko-Richards, MS, CCC-SLP, HPCS, Director of Therapy Services
As a bright six-year-old, Melanie knew exactly what she wanted to do and where she wanted to be - with horses as often as possible. Melanie’s life long journey at Mane Stream began as a camper in 1996. “My parents sent their horse obsessed daughter to Camp Cold Brook [Mane Stream Summer Camp], which turned into me volunteering 6 days a week, to then working in the barn and taking care of the horses, and eventually being hired as a camp counselor.” Mel’s enthusiasm and dedication resulted in her receiving the President’s Award for Volunteer Service from the Bush Administration in 2004. This prestigious award required the recipient to fulfill over 100 hours of volunteering in a 12-month period. Mel was also the recipient of the Distinguished Student of Hunterdon County Award in 2005. Those early years at SHHRC planted the seeds for Mel to pursue a career working with those with special needs.
“I grew up alongside people who were different from me and it was one of the best life experiences I could have had. I learned at a young age to appreciate people's differences with the commonality that we all loved horses. At that time, I didn't come to SHHRC with a desire to help people, I came as a horse-obsessed girl. What I received and what I was given is a love for all people” states Mel. She continues, “learning about different disabilities and learning how to meet someone where they are has been invaluable. It has shaped me into the clinician and person that I am today.”
“I was side-walking the client when he said “trot” by himself for the first time!” Melanie sidewalking with Angela Rodriequez, SLP
PHOTO – Melanie remembers, “There was a speech-language client that I worked with, I cannot remember his name, but he was the first client I worked with who had Angelman's Syndrome. At the time, the early 2000s, therapy looked very different, and this client was working on saying "trot!" When he would say it, the volunteers would have Sweetie, the pony, trot. I was sidewalking the client when he said “trot” by himself for the first time! It was so AWESOME! However, working with Angela, SLP, Gina Taylor, OT, Illaria Borghese, OT, and Chris, PT really opened my eyes to the world of therapy. I always knew that I wanted to incorporate horses into my treatment, it was just a matter of choosing a therapy discipline. When people ask me why I chose speech-language, my answer is always- I wasn't tall enough to be PT, at the time I didn't know what an OT did, and I really liked to read and talk, so speech and language, it was!” In 2011, Mel received a BS in Education from Seton Hall University and continued there to earn an M.S. in Speech and Language Pathology in 2013.
Mel proudly shows off the painting of Sweetie that she did from the photograph when she was in 3rd grade.
In 2011, Mel became the assistant counselor at Mane Stream’s summer camp, Camp Cold Brook after a call from Gina looking for someone to “work for the summer.” Reflecting on her days at camp, Mel reminisces, “I would spend the whole summer at Mane Stream, and would never get tired of it. After long days of camp, I remember a bunch of us would sit in the conference room and play a horse-themed card game before lessons started. I made so many great friends over the years (some that I am still in contact with!) The feeling of being a family and seeing each other week after week, and every year was such a treasure. Western Day was one of my favorite themed days; I loved bringing the Western saddles down from the loft and learning how to cinch up the horse. There were many times when I would be the "cow" that needed to be roped. It was truly a unique experience to go from being a camper to a volunteer at camp, to a counselor, and now I am also the Camp Health Director.”
By 2012, Mel moved into the on‐site apartment at Mane Stream and helped to take care of the herd. “To call the place that always felt like home, my actual home, was pretty exciting.” She continued, “I also thoroughly enjoyed the sunrises and sunsets at Mane Stream; walking the dogs in the morning was glorious, and spending the nights hearing the quiet munching of the horses was an absolutely perfect end to the day.” In 2013, Mel went through the process to become a PATH Intl. Registered Instructor, followed by the PATH Intl. Equine Specialist in Mental Health and Learning and Mentor trainings in 2015. Not one to ever stop learning, Mel also became a board certified hippotherapy clinical specialist in 2017 and an Eagala certified professional in 2018.
After being involved with the organization for over twenty-five years, Mel reflects, “I feel as though I would not have become the person who I am today without the experiences that Mane Stream has given me over the years. The unbridled possibilities that Mane Stream offers, the clients who have given me a passion to help those with disabilities, and to realize how much can be accomplished when caring, empathetic, and passionate people work together to create something great. There are not many people who can say that they have done a career with a single organization at just over 30 years old. From beginning as a summer-camper, to spending time and learning from Kathy Brennan-Hart (SHHRC"s program director), to eating dinner at Gayle Conover's house on Welsh Road, to trail riding with the Saturday afternoon advanced riders, to having my first saddle gifted to me by Karen Bocksel and Gayle, to being in the volunteer video that people are still watching to this day, to being part of the opening of this facility in 2001.”
Melanie concludes, “I am honored to be a part of such a wonderful organization! As the Director of Therapy Services, I have done it all during my time at SHHRC/Mane Stream. Growing up in a constantly evolving industry and being a part of one of the organizations that started it all, knowing that I have been a part of Octavia Brown's dream is just so unbelievably special and something that I don't take for granted. I am so excited to have this journey continue as I begin my term as the President of the Board of Directors for the American Hippotherapy Association, Inc. I would be remiss to not acknowledge and thank all the people that I have met over the years who have helped me get to where I am today and continue to support me all the years later!”
Congratulations on your NEW endeavor as AHA Inc. Board President!
MEL IN HER ELEMENT - On YouTube
Baking with Mel and Mel OR Twist and Ernest OR Parts of the Horse OR Communication Styles - Presentation
